Nittany Lions ready to start next chapter with Big Ten schedule

With all it has lost this year, Penn State finally has something tangible to play for -- a Leaders Division title.

These Nittany Lions have had so much taken away since the middle of the summer.

When NCAA sanctions hit, they lost their next four bowl games.

And the ability to play for Big Ten titles.

They lost their top running back, receiver and kicker to transfers.

They lost three more running backs to injuries.

On top of that, they gave up leads and lost their first two games.

But could things finally be changing for the better?

Back-to-back victories and expected healthy ball carriers will help lead Penn State into the Big Ten season Saturday in Champaign, Ill.

There, the Lions will have more motivation than the lingering anger over Illinois' coaching staff boldly recruiting them in State College this summer .

Even more than an opponent that gives them fits, no matter the year or circumstance.

No, Saturday is a new beginning.

With the first steps of the Big Ten schedule, the Lions can start proving themselves and their new coaching staff to their closest competitors for the first time since the Jerry Sandusky scandal erupted last year.

And in light of all they have lost, there also is something the Lions can still gain: They are eligible to win the Leaders Division of the Big Ten.

Tight end Kyle Carter talked of learning that tidbit on Twitter a few weeks ago and excitedly forwarding the information for all to see.

"Now, we have something to play for," he said.

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"That's the main goal right now," said senior cornerback Stephon Morris. "We definitely have a chip on our shoulder to do that, to be the first team at Penn State under Coach O'Brien to win a division."

Those feelings of proving themselves and of redemption have marinated since their once-legendary coach was fired and then died. Ever since the Freeh report and Sandusky's trial and the NCAA sanctions provided ammunition for so many to criticize and condemn.

It's all built to now.

In a way, the season's first four games served as an adjustment period and transition to their new surroundings and new leaders.

Now comes the meat of the meal.

Morris has repeatedly talked of this season being about showing the world who they really are.

It's about "our heart, how much passion we play with," he said this week. "More important is how much the university means to us, how much Penn State means to us. That Penn State is still strong."

And the Illini happen to arrive at possibly the perfect time.

While neither team seems fully equipped and loaded to weather a rugged fall, at least the Lions appear to be quickly buying into O'Brien's philosophies and methods.

Even a young, thin and questionable defensive backfield seems to be growing behind the leadership of the seven studs in front of them. Meanwhile, the offense -- O'Brien's baby -- is picking up steam now that quarterback Matt McGloin is more comfortable with its increased demands.

The Fighting Illini?

They are still talented throughout, especially on the defensive interior. And yet they've resembled a rudderless vessel on Saturday afternoons, unsure of themselves at quarterback and either unprepared, overmatched or simply disinterested on defense.

Even while continuing to lose players by the week, Penn State feels like a bit of a favorite.

The key for its defense is how it deals with familiar running quarterback Nate Scheelhaase and second option Reilly O'Toole, a pocket passer.

"So preparing for this team is very difficult because you have to almost prepare for two types of offenses," O'Brien said. "Our defense has a big-time challenge in front of it."

On offense, Penn State will mix its suddenly full tailback allotment with an expanding pass game. Can McGloin continue to spread the ball around without critical turnovers, his undoing in years past?

In all, it figures to be a valuable exam for the Lions, whether it means matching the intensity of a suddenly rejuvenated foe on its home turf or putting away a mistake-prone, disjointed group still searching for an identity.

Whichever Illinois shows up, they must be ready.

Because they know, despite all of the uncertainty in the months ahead, that Saturday can be the first step toward a rare treasure in these new times.

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